Olympic-sized single-span roof

More than 150 tonnes of InfraBuild Steel Centre steel has been used to build a 7104sqm roof for Satellite City BMX Club in Darwin’s Marlow Lagoon.

The roof will help protect the Club’s BMX track from Darwin’s harsh northern sun and monsoonal rains, thus allowing it to be used all year round.

The clear-span structure, which measures an impressive 110m x 68m, was manufactured in Spanlift’s Mount Gambier factory and constitutes the biggest roof lift ever carried out by the company.

InfraBuild Steel Centre (formerly LIBERTY OneSteel Metalcentre) SA/NT Manager Barry Kelly said the project was a showcase for what could be achieved with innovative thinking, advanced design, a reliable and collaborative supply chain, and steel’s inherent flexibility.

The Northern Territory government invested approximately $2 million towards installing the roof over the complex and refurbishing the BMX track.

Phillip Leslie, Executive Director of Sport and Recreation of the Department of Tourism and Culture, said: “The dramatic seasonal changes and heat we have in Darwin restricted the time of year and day that the old track could be used. Now, with the roof it can be utilised in the wet and dry seasons and throughout all hours of the day.

“The upgrades will help local BMX riders improve their skills and also enable the Satellite City BMX Club to host local and national competitions, which have a positive financial flow-on effect to all of Darwin,” Leslie said.

Putting the facility to use

The new facility will be put to the test in October when the Club hosts the 2017 NT BMX Titles. The Satellite City BMX Club has also lodged an expression of interest with BMX Australia to hold a national series in 2018.

“It’s very exciting that we can now pitch for and host national competitions and know that interstate riders will be impressed with our facilities,” said Daniel Shean, Satellite City BMX Club President.

“The competition experience for our local riders is boundless.”